Yusuf’s brilliant assist falls short as Revolution lose to Messi’s hat-trick

Published on by Akawor Chichetam

In an exciting match at Chase Stadium on Saturday evening, Alhassan Yusuf provided a glimpse of brilliance with his first assist of the season.

However, despite an early two-goal lead, his team New England Revolution succumbed to a remarkable comeback from Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, culminating in a staggering 6-2 loss.

The game not only showed Yusuf's brilliance but also highlighted the challenges faced by the Revolution throughout the season.

Alhassan Yusuf vs Messi
Photo by Icon Sport

Entering the match on the heels of a disappointing 4-0 defeat against Columbus, Yusuf and his teammates were eager to reclaim their momentum.

The visitors initially appeared dominant, with Luca Langoni netting the opening goal. Yusuf quickly made his mark, executing a clever nutmeg to evade an opponent and setting up Dylan Borrero for the second goal just 34 minutes into the contest.

However, the tide shifted dramatically as former Barcelona star Luis Suárez struck twice in quick succession, leveling the score before halftime.

The second half saw Miami continue their resurgence, with Benjamin Cremaschi putting the home side ahead shortly after the break.

Before Messi took the centre stage to deliver a hat-trick that propelled Miami to a record-setting 74 points in a single season.

Alhassan Yusuf's impact on the field not enough

Despite the overwhelming defeat, Alhassan Yusuf's performance stood out. The 24-year-old midfielder, who has six caps for Nigeria, played the full match and recorded over 57 touches.

He not only provided an assist but also created additional scoring opportunities, completing 30 accurate passes, including three crucial ones in the final third.

Alhassan Yusuf of New England Revolution
Photo by Icon Sport

Defensively, Yusuf was a force, winning a tackle, dominating eight ground duels, and making nine recoveries.

Yusuf was part of the Super Eagles team that grabbed a narrow 1-0 victory over Libya in AFCON 2025 qualifier.

Though Alhassan Yusuf did not feature in that encounter, he returned to his club after the international break only to deliver his first goal contribution in seven games.

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Akawor Chichetam

Akawor Chichetam is a dedicated sports journalist with a passion for football, both as a player and as a writer.

A proud member of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Chichetam has made significant contributions to renowned media platforms, including Elegbete TV, Footballrover, and Football411.

Known for insightful commentary and engaging content, Akawor brings a unique perspective to the world of sports journalism, combining a love for the game with a deep understanding of its details.